Proving rock 'n' roll will never die, local groups are making a killing these days walking fans down memory lane as cover bands.

You name the popular group and odds are someone, somewhere is playing the act's oeuvre every weekend to packed houses of rabid fans looking to see and hear their favorite tunes.

Perhaps there is no better name for a cover band than popular Northeast Ohio-based Pink Floyd tribute act Wish You Were Here.

As in, boy, we really wish the original band was here, but instead we'll settle for a group of local talented musicians who are disciples of Roger Waters and David Gilmour.

"A lot of people have told me they like our interpretation of the music," said Wish You Were Here bassist-vocalist Eric "Eroc" Sosinski. "Of course, we're trying to be as dead-on as we can, but we put a bit of our own energy into it. The band is just sounding tighter than it ever has with the combination of musicians and having the different shows under our belt. We feed off the energy of the crowd a lot, and they really seem to enjoy that."

Currently in its 17th year, Wish You Were Here has booked its annual first-weekend-of-the-year gig for Jan. 5 at Cleveland's House of Blues. In addition to its own impressive light show and a floating pig (de rigueur for a Pink Floyd cover band), the outfit performs all of the psychedelic rock band's most popular tunes, such as "Time," "Money," "Wish You Were Here" and "Comfortably Numb."

Also in its set, fans will find a few obscure songs that include David Gilmour solo material "There's No Way Out of Here" and Syd Barrett-era "Jugband Blues," "Arnold Lane" and "See Emily Play."

While Sosinski admitted he never expected Wish You Were Here to still be playing a dozen or so shows annually, he pointed out the group's popularity hasn't waned. In fact, its debut gig was a sold-out affair at The Odeon. Other highlights include bringing 5,000 people to Blossom Music Center on a soggy night, selling out Nautica and packing the old Tower City venue.

From a personal standpoint, Sosinski said Wish You Were Here is one of many fires he has lit that allows him to be a professional musician. In addition to an acoustic duo and trio, he plays with Michael Stanley's Resonators.

"I'm not getting rich on it, but we do well," Sosinski said. "This is my only job."

The notion of cover bands stretches across all genres. Heck, there was even a Michael Stanley Band tribute act. Sharing Sosinski's sentiment about not getting rich but doing something he loves is lifelong Johnny Cash fan Terry Lee Goffee, who just more than a decade ago created A Tribute To Johnny Cash. The Man in Black cover act returns to the House of Blues for a show Jan. 4 at the Rock Hall City club.

"Actually, I didn't really think about it lasting when we started," said Wellington resident Goffee, who is a former radio disc jockey. "I guess at this point we're hoping it continues because we're having a lot of fun with it."

In the average year Goffee performs anywhere from 50 to 70 shows, some of which may be overseas. His set covers a wide selection of Cash's career, including his first release, "Cry, Cry, Cry," all the way up to the heartbreaking cover of Nine Inch Nails' song "Hurt." For the House of Blues show, Goffee said he may play rowdier Cash tunes such as "25 Minutes to Go" and "Rusty Cage."

Ultimately, when musicians are in a cover band, they're providing themselves something that is missing in their lives. They're reconnected with their favorite artist or band, and, ultimately, wishing their heroes were still here.

"It goes back to passion," Goffee said. "People ask me, 'Don't you get tired of singing the same songs over and over?"' The short answer is, no. I think there's just an honesty of the music that attracts people. Myself included."